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Almera

  • 11-03-2010 9:53pm
    #1
    Justin10
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,238 ✭✭✭


    Going to buy a 02 1.5 almera hatchback. Just curious about the timing chain. Never had a car with one. How often should i change the oil. I heard changing the oil will reduce the effect of it having to be changed.

    Is there anything else i should know about the car??

    Also quick question, random what time is the last booking for an NCT?? Is it 6??

    Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    Esel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,093 ✭✭✭✭Esel
    Not Your Ornery Onager


    From what I've read here, gearbox problems are common..... Do a Search.

    Not your ornery onager



  • #3
    Justin10
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,238 ✭✭✭Justin10


    I was thinking every 6 months with high sentectic oil?


  • #4
    bazz26
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51,363 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    Timing chain and tensioner problems are common on this model Almera.

    This thread makes interesting reading:
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055119097


  • #5
    Atlantic Dawn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 84,762 ✭✭✭✭Atlantic Dawn
    M


    Rochey18 wrote: »
    I was thinking every 6 months with high sentectic oil?

    I'd say once a year or every 10k miles, whichever is sooner. It's not really going to have much bearing on the chain, realistically it shouldn't need to be ever replaced for the lifetime of the car.


  • #6
    unkel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 66,132 ✭✭✭✭unkel
    Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!


    bazz26 wrote: »
    Timing chain and tensioner problems are common on this model Almera.

    +1

    Avoid. Timing chains should last forever and they do in most cars. But not in that model Almera. Buy another car.

    Lotus Elan turbo for sale:

    https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/lotus-elan-turbo/38336785

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  • #7
    Mr Benevolent
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,456 ✭✭✭✭Mr Benevolent


    unkel wrote: »
    +1

    Avoid. Timing chains should last forever and they do in most cars. But not in that model Almera. Buy another car.

    +2


  • #8
    Cosmo K
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 985 ✭✭✭Cosmo K


    Not to mention the corrosion problems, I have seen 02 Almera's, were the front cross member was completely rotten. Thats a bit of a joke really, rust should be no issue on a 02 car.

    Avoid!


  • #9
    Gary ITR
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,801 ✭✭✭✭Gary ITR


    Cosmo K wrote: »
    Not to mention the corrosion problems, I have seen 02 Almera's, were the front cross member was completely rotten. Thats a bit of a joke really, rust should be no issue on a 02 car.

    Avoid!

    Now you say that, the last time my car was in the garage there was an Almera up on the ramp having a rotten subframe replaced, I was actually having mine replaced, just did it while I was having some uprated shocks and springs fitted and the mechanic commented that mine was far better than the one coming off an 04 Almera (Mine came off an '86 Golf)


  • #10
    ianobrien
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,755 ✭✭✭ianobrien


    If the Almera is a high mileage one, there won't be much of a problem with the timing chain. It's the low mileage ones that seem to be affected by the timing chain stretch.

    OP, If you're getting it for less than 2K, with a long NCT and tax, it's got highish mileage and is not a city car, I'd consider it. If the price is over 2K, run... (and I drive a '05 one!)

    Edit - On the reliability thing, I've 130K km on mine, serviced every 15K km or 6 months regardless. It's driven fairly hard and the only thing I've had go wrong was two heater motor resistor packs and the a/c ecu. As an example of the tough life mine leads, I was driving it in a Forest last Sunday (I was doing timing for a Forest Rally), and I was touching 120kph on the gravel stages. That's the tough life mine has, and I've not got a rattle or squeak or anything. It does eat front tyres though.....


  • #11
    Mr.David
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,704 ✭✭✭Mr.David


    Just to present the other side of the story for the almera....

    My missus has been running a 1.5 2001 almera for the last 18months and there has not been a single issue with it.

    Bought it for £1500 with 53k miles on the clock and FSH from main dealer. Since then I've changed the oil every 8k miles and she has clocked up 35,000 miles!

    Its not a desirable car, but in terms of a functional car it is great. She averages 49mpg (proper calculation not based on trip) and all we have ever replaced is a lightbulb.

    So my point is, that although there is an issue with timing chain, it wont affect all of them and for us (fingers crossed) there has been no problem at all.


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  • #12
    BronsonTB
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,905 ✭✭✭BronsonTB


    Rochey18 wrote: »
    what time is the last booking for an NCT?? Is it 6??

    Depends on the test centre itself.....I've had mine done at 8 in the morning & 6 in the evening....

    Sligo Metalhead



  • #13
    ianobrien
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,755 ✭✭✭ianobrien


    Cosmo K wrote: »
    Not to mention the corrosion problems, I have seen 02 Almera's, were the front cross member was completely rotten. Thats a bit of a joke really, rust should be no issue on a 02 car.

    Avoid!

    On the corrosion, how many people here washed the underside of their cars after driving on salted roads? People here don't, and the result is rust!


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